Alistair Cohen

Easily one of the most handsome horses around, Major Master until recently had a reputation that preceded him. He has commenced into the swing of things and started to look like he can salute in a few races as he works his merit rating up towards some feature races in the coming months. He looks to have the credentials to win race 6 over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Youth Day Tuesday.

To suggest that Major Master has underachieved would sound harsh to be a five-time winner from 16 starts with six places to show for his troubles but when his career started, hopes were high. It looks like he is heading towards being effective this summer in feature races for above average handicappers like he is.

Three starts back in January he ran in the Premiers Trophy over 1800m at this course and he was not disgraced behind I Salute You who has become a Hollywoodbets Durban July hopeful. He was only 5,4 lengths behind. He followed up finishing just over two lengths behind subsequent winner Chasingtherainbow in what was not a disgraceful performance.

He was given a mini two-month break, and he returned to the course with a commanding victory at this course over 1600m in late April. He beat Boogiefied by an easy 1,75 lengths. To beat Boogiefied on a soft track in the middle-distance range takes a big performance. There is no argument that Major Master has enough talent to turn over Boogiefied but that setup is safely within his wheelhouse.

Aldo Domeyer is carded to take the ride for Candice Bass. The combination has been in good form over the last few months possibly being one of the most consistent teams in the country.

Handsome Prince looks like he is popping for a big performance. His rating gradually slides from the high mark he was given as a youngster and his performance has backed up that he could be ready to show. This trip also suits well. His last run came over this course and distance and he finished fourth behind Chasingtherainbow. There is no reason to underestimate his chances. Corne Orffer rides for Michelle Rix.

Stable companion to Major Master, Roccapina will have every opportunity from gate No 1. The structure of the conditions of this race also suits fillies and mares. She is not easy to trust because she has the capability of being wayward at times. When she is at her best like running places at Grade 1 level, she would have a top chance. Her last excellent run came in the Grade 3 SplashOut Prix Du Cap over this course and distance when she finished third behind Princess Of Gaul. She followed up with being runner-up in the Listed Ladies Mile behind Queen Regent before a headscratcher last time she was seen.

Peace Garland looks set to exit the maidens in race 1 over 1400m. Her four career runs have produced four placings. She acquitted herself well in her last run which came over this course and distance when she finished second behind Before Sunrise. There is no form to match the standard that she sets in this race and she should win under Mickaelle Michel. Vaughan Marshall trains Peace Garland.

Marshall trains the horse to beat in race 2. It’sgood It’snice has filled the second box in his two runs to date. Both starts came over 1400m, the trip he is over again. He ran into trouble on debut when he aimed for a small gap on the inside and the far more experienced From The Island kept him at bay. His two excellent runs should get him promoted to the winner’s box. Sean Veale rides.

Madra Rua ran his career best last time when he was five lengths behind Witch Hazel finishing second behind the impressive winner. He is given the verdict in race 3 over 1000m. There has been a feeling for a while that he is waiting for a soft track this winter. He should get everything in his favour. His main danger is Swift Serenity who keeps running second. She is given a good shout being a filly receiving weight plus Mickaelle Michel claims 1,5kg so she should run another good race. Keep an eye on the first timer Sierra Nevada who is very well bred and will not need to be special to feature.

Jewel Mule gets another chance. She was carded to run last Tuesday in the abandoned meeting and she is back a week later in race 4 over 1200m. Her debut came over 1000m and she ran a pleasing race when third behind Sparkling Star who looks to have wins to come. Just a step of improvement should see her account for some professional maidens who should have their respective days soon. Scandalize and Piteraq being those in question.

Master Coiner was confidently tipped to up his game last time and he did so when he finished second behind Glenalmond at this course over 1950m. He interestingly drops to 1600m in race 5 but he could get the job done. Nothing went right for him in his penultimate start and he stuck around to finish fourth albeit well beaten. If the drop in trip does not undo him, he could get his maiden win. Keagan de Melo rides for Des McLachlan.

Signor Dante took advantage of a drop in class last time and he hacked up to beat Devil A Saint by 2,5 lengths over 1400m. He runs in race 7 over the same course and distance. He had run to some serious company a few months back but he was short of confidence in the wins department. He seems to be back on track and he could go back-to-back.

Winter Pearl is an unconfident selection in race 8 over 1200m. Craig Zackey has been booked to ride. He has been on the boards in most of his recent starts so there is no reason to believe he will suddenly run below par. There are endless winning chances.

RACE 1

2 JULIET OF VERONA stayed on well for second behind In Hot Water on the 19th of May, she will love the step up in trip here, she has a big winning chance from a good draw. 3 PEACE GARLAND only got going very late last time, she is very consistent, she has a winning chance on her current form. 1 OH ISABELLA has run two decent races in succession, she will enjoy the step up in trip to 1400m, watch her closely from a good draw. 4 GOLDEN SHIMMER ran a fair race on debut, with natural improvement expected from this well-bred filly, she can earn for the connections.

RACE 2

1 IT’SGOOD IT’SNICE has run two lovely races in succession, there should be no excuses for this colt from a good draw, he will be hard to beat. 3 UNCLE SAM has been rested for 62 days, he ran a great race on debut behind From The Island on the 15th of April, top jockey Richard Fourie sticks with this colt, he will improve big time going into his second start, include him into all bets. 6 AFRICAN WILD DOG will love the step up in trip to 1400m, he ran a much better race on the 19th of May, with some luck in running, he will be right there in the finish. 2 ROYAL LIGHT showed further improvement in his second start behind Bachata last time, he has a good place chance from a neat draw.

RACE 3

4 MADRA RUA would have needed his run last time when finishing second behind Witch Hazel on the 2nd of June, he will be much fitter going into this race on Tuesday, the drop in trip is key for this gelding, he has a big winning chance in this field. 8 SWIFT SERENITY was a touch unlucky in her last start behind Autumn Rush on the 31st of May, the blinkers have been fitted, she has a good winning chance on her best form, include her into all bets. 5 SICILY never runs a bad race, he needs a particular ride, if the race works out for him, he will be storming home late. 2 THE BIG BANG will enjoy the drop in trip, he has a place chance at best. 6 SIERRA NEVADA is well-bred, watch the market closely.

RACE 4

4 JEWEL MULE stayed on beautifully for third on debut when beaten five lengths by Sparkling Star, she will love the step up in trip to 1200m, in hope that she has made further improvement back at home, she will be hard to beat. 8 SCANDALIZE never runs a bad race, the drop in trip is key for this filly on Tuesday, she will be right there in the finish late. 3 ROCK THE ROAD has been rested for 76 days, she ran a great race on debut behind Iona Castle on the 1st of April, she will improve tremendously going into her second start here, watch her closely. 9 PITERAQ stayed on well for third behind Ruby Rex on the 2nd of June, her form is consistent, she has a place chance.

RACE 5

7 MASTERONTHEMOON was a touch disappointing on the 16th of May, he didn’t find much under pressure last time, again he finds himself in a winnable race, he has a big winning chance on his best form. 4 MASTER COINER was well supported in the market when finishing second behind Glenalmond on the 2nd of June, he has improved with every start, the drop in trip should be no problem for this gelding, he has a good winning chance from a neat draw. 6 READY FOR THE ROAD stayed on well for second behind Mutiny In Heaven on the 24th of May, if he brings that run to the track again on Tuesday, he will trouble them in the finish. 2 QUIET PLACE should have no excuses from a nice draw, he has a place chance in this field.

RACE 6

2 MAJOR MASTER won a good race on the 27th of April, he was given four points for that impressive victory, even though he carries top weight here, he will go very close to winning again from a good draw. 8 MENTE ET MANU is much better than his last run, the apprentice unfortunately went way too fast in front on the 19th of May, Richard Fourie knows this gelding well, with some luck in running from a tricky draw, he will run a big race. 1 ROCCAPINA is a smart filly, she has dropped even further in the ratings, watch her closely, she has a winning chance from a nice draw. 4 HANDSOME PRINCE runs his best races over this trip, he will be competitive at a decent price.

RACE 7

7 SIGNOR DANTE won a good race on the 24th of May, he was given five points for that impressive win last time, even though he has gone up in the ratings, he has a big winning chance again. 3 CLARK GRISWOLD should be cherry ripe going into this race on Tuesday, he has dropped three points in the ratings from his last run, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be rattling home late. 5 DEVIL A SAINT ran a great race behind Signor Dante last time, he will be right there in the finish with no weight on his back. 6 MIAMI SUMMER has been rested and gelded, the yard thinks highly of this individual, if he doesn’t need the run back after a long break, he will be super competitive.

RACE 8

6 WINTER PEARL stayed on well for third behind Fast Train on the 24th of May, he is honest, and he tries hard, he will be competitive on his current form. 3 PRINCE OF TIBET quickened up smartly to win a good race on the 19th of May, he was given five points for that win last time, in hope that he gets cover early, he will be finishing like a train late, watch him closely. 4 AVIGNON absolutely loves the conditions being soft, he will jump out the gates and try lead the field from start to finish, include him into all bets. 5 OZARK was unfortunately given one point for running third behind Prince Of Tibet last time, Richard Fourie sticks with this gelding, he always has a money chance at this level.

David Thiselton

Peter Muscutt has engaged the Australian-based Zimbabwean Mark du Plessis to ride I Salute You in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and this will be a reunion of a partnership which has had success in both Zimbabwe and Singapore.

Peter has never had a runner under his own name in South Africa’s greatest race, but this year he looks a virtual certainty to have two runners as his pair of entries, Isivivane and I Salute You, were in 15^th and 16^th position on the last Hollywoodbets Durban July log.

Peter said about top jockey Mark du Plessis, who was Zimbabwe’s Apprentice Champion in the 1994/95 season and their overall champion in 1997/98, “He rode for me in Zimbabwe and in Singapore and in fact he rode my first winner in Singapore. He has been very successful in Asia and very successful in New Zealand. He actually had to forego the New Zealand championship the one season, because he landed a contract in Hong Kong. He would have won it, he was a long way clear. He did very well in Hong Kong (in two stints). He is a natural light weight and apart from his current residence (Australia) and all of those other places mentioned he has also ridden winners in Japan, very good rider.”

Mark has never ridden in the July before, but has ridden at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Peter elaborated, “He did well in Hong Kong, whose two tracks are not unlike Greyville (both are tight, right-handed tracks), and he has got a lot of experience on tight-turning tracks in both New Zealand and Australia.”

Mark has ridden 36 wins in Queenland this season, which puts him in 32^nd place on the Queensland table. However, that gives a bit of a skewed picture, because in the statistics limited to the metro racetracks he is in 12^th position with 18 wins.

Although these are Peter’s first July runners under his name he has had a lot of experience in preparing July horses as the former Summerveld assistant to both Joey Ramsden and Brett Crawford.

As far as big race preparation goes, he has also learnt from one of the best trainers in the world, having spent seven years working with Australian legend Chris Waller.

The Hollywood Racing-owned four-year-old Erupt gelding Isivivane booked his berth in the July by winning the Gr 3 WSB 1900 on May 9, beating the fancied July entry Regulation by 0,60 lengths at level weights. Sean Veale rode him in the 1900 and will stay aboard for the July.

I Salute You, a four-year-old gelding by Soqrat, booked his place by finishing a 0,70 length second to Zeitz in the Gr 3 Betgames Cup Trial over 1800m on June 6.

Peter said, “Isivivane has a 2,5kg advantage over I Salute You, but I Salute You is a very good horse and I have no hesitation in suggesting that both horses are going to see out the trip very well, they are both very fit horses.”

I Salute You will be 1kg better off with Zeitz for a 0,70 length beating and Peter said, “I can’t see him beating us again.”

He added, “I Salute You was also a touch slowly away in the Cup Trial and if he hadn’t missed the break I think he would have taken a lot of beating. He was a fair way further back than I had wanted him and had he been in front of Zeitz turning in I don’t think he would have beaten us.”

He continued, “I Salute You has not jumped well in his last two starts, but we will do some work on that.”

He concluded, “They both came out of their races very well. They seem to be horses who are on the improve and they are both in really good form. Now we wait for the draws.”

Isivivane won’t have run for nearly two months by the time of the July, but Peter does not see that as a problem and reiterated that he was a very fit horse.

Both horses will work on their own at the official Hollywoodbets Durban July Gallops.

Peter added, “According to their schedule they will probably both work from the 1400m and pick it up from the 1000m.”

I Salute You is owned by Messrs E C Abraham, Mayesh Chetty, T Herdon, K Nattar, Tony Zackey, Advocate W A J Nicholson & Miss Trinisha Pillay. It will be an exciting build up to the big day for all of them.

Peter said about the draws he would prefer, “Anything from 5 to 10 would be ideal.”

Isivivane is a half-brother to the Gr 1 SA Classic winner Red Saxon (Red Ray). He is out of Casey Tibbs mare Rodeo Sioux, whose three wins included a minor feature over 2600m, so that coupled with Erupt being by Dubawi and having won two Gr 1s over 2400m augurs well for his capacity to handle the testing July trip.

I Salute You’s sire Soqrat’s three Gr 1 wins were all over a mile, but he was a flying second with topweight in the Gr 1 Summer Cup over the tough Turffontein 2000m. I Salute You,  is out of a mare by speed influence Var, but that mare is in turn out of a mare by stamina influence Silvano.

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David Thiselton

Justin Snaith has six entries in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and one of them, the Vercingetorix gelding Native Ruler, put in a fine preparation run on Saturday by winning the Gr 3 Winter Stakes over 2400m in authoritative fashion.

The biggest irony with Snaith’s entries, which also includes Wish List, Note To Self, Happy Verse, Legal Counsel and Regulation, is that one of their most supported entries in the betting markets, Regulation, is not certain to make the final field.

Justin spoke yesterday (Monday) about Native Ruler and Regulation and said, “Native Ruler dominated a modest field, but did so with real authority, never giving the impression he was in any danger once turning for home.

He remains a progressive horse and, if you cast your mind back to his excellent run in last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, there is every reason to be optimistic about his chances this time around. Keagan de Melo produced a faultless ride and will undoubtedly know the horse even better going into the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Congratulations to Greg and Gina Bortz, Mukund Gujadhur and Rikesh Sewgoolam – a fantastic partnership enjoying a tremendous run of success.

Greg and Gina’s silks, in particular, have struck a rich vein of form of late and also hold a strong hand in the Hollywoodbets Durban July with Regulation. In my view, he is the best-weighted horse of our runners in this year’s race, and it is no surprise to see him prominently positioned in the betting markets (Currently trading at 8–1 and sitting fifth in the betting). JP Van Der Merwe has been booked to ride him at 52kg.

The best-weighted horse often wins this great race, not necessarily the best horse.

Things did not go his way last time when he choked up in the Cup Trial, but he has since scoped clear. Should he secure a place in the final field, I believe he is capable of running a massive race. His brother Belgarion won the Hollywoodbets Durban July in 2020. Both Belgarion and Regulation were bred by my one of our longest standing clients, Alec and Gillian Foster (who also bred Questioning).”

Regulation has had no luck at all in his last three starts but showed his class when having nowhere to go in the Gr 2 Anthonij Rupert Premier Trophy over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and running on powerfully for third when finally seeing daylight. He comfortably beat the like of Zeitz and Native Ruler in that race despite having been hampered. Before that he had won the Gr 3 Ownway Peninsula Handicap over 1800m and in that event he received only 1kg from Zeitz and beat him by 3,20 lengths. Furthermore, in the Gr 3 WSB 1900 in his penultimate start, Regulation was caught wide throughout, yet still managed to finish second.

However, Regulation was only in position 20 on the last Hollywoodbets Durban July log.

He might have to rely on a scratching or two to ensure a place in the final field of 18. If he is only made a reserve, he will have to rely on a late scratching or two. On the other hand, the log is just a guide and he might still get into the 18-strong final field without there being any scratchings.

Greg and Gina Bortz’s contracted rider is JP can der Merwe and as he is pencilled in to ride Regulation they might be viewing this Legislate gelding as their elect runner. They will be on tenterhooks in the build up to the Hollywoodbets Durban July Final Field And Draw ceremony.

The Bortz’s won the July in 2024 with the Brett Crawford-trained Vercingetorix colt Oriental Charm, who was ridden by JP van der Merwe.

David Thiselton

Frank Robinson’s runner in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, Mocha Blend, has enjoyed a fine preparation for a race she has been targeted at from a long way out.

Mocha Blend proved her class and stamina capacity when winning the Gr 1 Betway Summer Cup over the tough Turffontein Standside course back on 29 November last year.

She was next seen in a Conditions Plate over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on May 9 and she caught the eye running on late for a two length fourth behind a high profile trio, Okavango, Eight On Eighteen and Note To Self.

She then ran in the Gr 2 HKJC World Pool Tibouchina Stakes for fillies and mares over the too sharp 1400m trip of Hollywoodbets Greyville and ran on nicely, after being dropped out to the back, for a 4,55 length seventh.

Frank said, “She is doing very well. I gave her those two races just to sharpen her up and she ran on very well in both. I couldn’t be happier with her and now obviously it’s the Gallops to come. I like to give them a decent gallop and then I will go easy from there. But she is in a good space at the moment.”

The Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein homebred four-year-old filly is by stamina influence Ideal World out of a mare by stamina influence Silvano and although that mare, Mocha Special, only ever won one race and it was over 1660m, Frank said, “I think Mocha Blend would even be a big runner in the Gold Cup. She will stay all day and she’s got a bit of speed with it, which helps. She can accelerate, but she is definitely a staying filly.”

He added, “She is merit rated 117, so she is nicely weighted carrying 56,5kg. That is why I have taken the route I have over those two short trips in which she could run on … I just wanted to look after her rating.”

The weights were officially announced yesterday (Monday) and were allotted strictly according to the merit ratings of the entries (the handicapper as usual chose to not exercise the condition of the race that states: “Weights shall be framed by the Handicapper in his sole discretion and without necessarily having regard for the horses’ merit ratings …”

Mocha Blend’s merit rating is exactly the same as the two Gr 1-winning three-year-old fillies in the race, the dual Gr 1 winner Wish List as well as Hazy Dazy.

However, he felt he might have an edge over them.

He said, “Wish List, for example, is very good but she’s still a baby, so it’s going to be very hard for her, because she is only developing now. My filly is mature, so I have that advantage.”

Frank said he hoped for a draw near the middle and explained, “If you on the inside and something happens and you get left or something you end up being knocked right to the back and you can’t do much about it. Draw eight I will be happy with.”

Jockey Tristan Godden showed his big match temperament in last year’s July when riding Native Ruler to a fine sixth place at long odds.

Mocha Blend will attempt to add to the record of the most successful owning and breeding family in July history, the Oppenheimer family.

Mary Slack of Wilgerbosdrift Stud is Harry and Bridget Oppenheimer’s daughter, while Jessica Jell, who owns Mauritzfobetin Stud with husband Steven, is Mary’s daughter.

The Oppenheimer family have had six homebred July winners, have bred a further two and have part-owned one other.

So Mocha Blend would become their tenth success and their seventh homebred success in the country’s greatest race.